Manufacturing Engineer I - Hybrid

If you are looking to be part of a company focused on making our roads and communities safer, apply to join our team of talented individuals today!

What TAPCO has to offer you:

• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Personal Time (starting day one)
• Four Weeks of Paid Parental Leave with no waiting period
• 401K Plan with Employer Match (fully vested on day one)
• Company-Funded Short-Term Disability
• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Quarterly Company Events and Lunches
• Have a say in TAPCO Happenings by joining the Fun or Safety Committee

What you will accomplish as a Manufacturing Engineer I at TAPCO:

The Manufacturing Engineer I supports initiatives that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and cost within manufacturing operations. This role focuses on learning core manufacturing processes, applying problem-solving skills, and contributing to continuous improvement efforts. Under guidance from senior engineers, the Manufacturing Engineer I assists in implementing engineering solutions, documenting processes, and supporting production teams. The ideal candidate is eager to grow, data-driven, and committed to building a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ownership:
  • Own process improvements in reducing waste, and enhance productivity.
  • Drive the delivery of projects that result in measurable cost savings and operational efficiency gains.
  • Lead PFMEAs. Contribute findings to Lessons Learned and design reviews to improve future designs.
• Technical Expertise and Execution:
  • Design and implement advanced manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment to optimize production workflows.
  • Utilize CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) to develop and refine layouts, tooling, and prototypes. Heavy emphasis on utilizing CAD for models, layouts, and assemblies
  • Assist in Design for Manufacturability and product quality and able to investigate reduce costs.
  • Create BOMs, engineering changes and deviations.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Participation in the execution of Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, 5S implementation, and value stream mapping.
  • Conduct root cause analyses to identify and implement corrective actions for production issues.
  • Work closely other departments to help oversee new products and manufacturing readiness for new products and design changes in current product.
• Strategic Impact:
  • Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
  • Recommend and help implement projects that deliver tangible ROI, including cost reductions and efficiency improvements.

Required Qualifications and KSA

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
• 2 years+ of experience in a manufacturing engineering environment.
• Proven success in leading projects that deliver measurable improvements in cost, quality, or efficiency.
• knowledgeable of manufacturing processes (e.g., welding, metal fabrication, assembly, process documentation, hydraulics, power tools, electrical systems, PLC is a plus).
• Proficient in CAD (SolidWorks preferred)
• Knowledgeable of Lean methodologies, including DFMEA/PFMEA, Kaizen, and 5S.
• Excellent problem-solving and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Familiar with business software's such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Able to understand and learn different management systems and resource planning platforms.
• Able to manage and analyzing routings, applying overhead rates (e.g., machine vs. labor), and ensuring accurate cost modeling to drive financial accountability.
• Able to coordinate Bills of Materials (BOMs), managing work order posting phases, and implementing pick/backflush strategies aligned with production layouts for optimal efficiency.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, and use fine motor skills.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 30 pounds and work in production areas.

About Us:

At TAPCO, we aim to enhance transportation and personal safety in our communities through innovative solutions and products. We are driven to save lives! Are you looking for a career where you can earn a great wage based on experience and performance, your contributions are recognized, and you will have growth potential? Then choose TAPCO!

As an EEO Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran or disability status or other acceptable taglines in all printed employment advertisements.

If any assistance is needed with the application process, please contact TAPCO HR at 800-236-4462